Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar calls Akbar 'rapist, looter' in Assembly
Jaipur: Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar on Tuesday referred to Mughal emperor Akbar as a "rapist, invader, and looter" during a discussion on the demand for grants for the Education Department in the state Assembly.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the way historical figures are presented in school textbooks, Dilawar remarked, "It pains us to see how Maharana Pratap was belittled while Akbar was glorified. Calling him ‘great’ is an insult to the nation and its great men. This cannot be tolerated." He accused Akbar of setting up ‘meena bazaars’ and alleged that he exploited women.
His comments drew objections from some MLAs, to which he responded, “Akbar aapka kya lagta hai? (Who is Akbar to you?).” He also criticised Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, claiming that he persecuted Hindus, demolished temples, and imposed the jizya tax. Additionally, he questioned the portrayal of Taimur in textbooks, stating that describing him as "great" was inappropriate.
This is not the first time Dilawar has made such statements. In February last year, he had said, “To take Akbar’s name in India is a sin,” while making similar allegations.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Jaipur Literature Festival this year removed the ‘Mughal Tent,’ replacing it with a food court and introducing a new hall named ‘Surya Mahal.’
शिक्षा मंत्री @madandilawar जी ने कहाँ अकबर बलात्कारी, आक्रांता और लुटेरा था
— राजस्थानी काका 💪🙏 (@Rajsthanikaka) March 4, 2025
विधायक राजेंद्र पारीक जी ने टोका तो कहा- अकबर आपका क्या लगता है? 🙏 pic.twitter.com/szB9VRcw3Z
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
